Man held for cheating woman of Rs 20 lakh through matrimonial site

Thiruvananthapuram: Pettah police arrested a 40-year-old man for allegedly cheating a young woman of Rs 20 lakh after befriending her through a matrimonial website by promising marriage and an overseas job.The accused was identified as Rakesh Ramachandran, of Chottanikkara, Thiruvankulam. He was taken into custody from SWS Fortune Apartment in Chottanikkara following an investigation. According to police, the accused obtained the mobile number of the woman, a native of Perumthanni, from a matrimonial site in 2024 and later developed a close acquaintance with her. Police said he allegedly convinced the woman that he would marry her and promised to secure her a job abroad. Believing his assurances, the woman reportedly transferred money to the accused in several stages over the past months. After realising that she had been cheated, the woman approached the police and lodged a complaint. Based on the complaint, Pettah police registered a case and launched an investigation. Police said the accused was produced before the court and remanded in judicial custody. Further investigation is under way to ascertain whether he had cheated others using similar methods.